Toolpath preview is all black

[mcww_shop]

Hi all - I have a situation that's happened to me twice. The toolpath preview is all black. This last time, I opened the Modeling_a_Spindle_Wrapped_Rotary_Machining.crv3d file from the tutorial of the same name. it previewed fine. Then I added a new component to the model. Initially it previewed fine as well. I believe I recalculated all toolpaths and then I get a black object. It is also showing black (as if the model is not lit) while the preview animation is running. I can move and rotate the model nomally in the 3d preview screen, but there is no shading. I've changed the Use Shadow Shading on and off. I've turned Light Follows User on and off. I'm at a loss.


See attached for screenshot. Any ideas?

[martin54]

Have you accidentally selected a toolpath colour

[mcww_shop]

Thanks for replying! Excellent idea, but no. It's set to the material color which is Canadian Maple.

[Pete Cyr]

I have had the same issue. I have found the only fix is to save, close the file and open again.

[martindg]

Are you working on Windows machine or a Mac with an emulator? I work on Mac/Parallels and this has happened a few times since the 11.5 update. As stated previously I just save and reopen and all works well.

[mcww_shop]

I am working on a windows machine. Aspire 11.5 and Windows 11 22H2. I have saved/reopened. I've rebooted. Still black. It's probably ok, but i'm afraid to save and run the gcode as the design is going on expensive wood. Thanks for your input.

Is there a way to get realtime technical support for an issue like this? or is it email / forums only?

Thanks again!

[Adrian]

Go to the Help menu and choose About and see what it says next to Graphics.

If it's anything other than software then go to Options on the Edit menu. Got to the 3D View Settings and change "Use Software Renderer" to Yes. Click Ok, close and restart Aspire to see if that fixes it.

If it does then that will get you going but you can try updating graphics drivers etc and switching back to hardware mode when you have the time.

[mcww_shop]

@Adrian I will try this tomorrow and report back, thanks for the idea.

[mcww_shop]

Software renderer looked ok, so I updated the graphics driver. It seems to be fixed for now. Thanks!

[Orso]

This is also happening to me.
It only seems to be when a 3D model is present.
The only workaround I have found is to restart Aspire
and reload the file. I hope there is a fix down the road.

[Adrian]

This is also happening to me.
It only seems to be when a 3D model is present.
The only workaround I have found is to restart Aspire
and reload the file. I hope there is a fix down the road.

Have you updated the graphics drivers on your PC? On this thread and a lot of others that has fixed the issue.

[Orso]

I checked for driver updates and everything is current on my system.
There is never any issue with toolpath preview animation unless there is a 3D model in it.
And the issue seems to come and go. Weird.

[Tex_Lawrence]

I checked for driver updates and everything is current on my system.

Go to the options and de-select the hardware graphics setting. Then it will use software. That will tell you if it is not compatible with your hardware.